Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/232871 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 14119
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
To reduce infection rates during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, a first lockdown was announced on March 23, 2020, with a final easing of the restrictions on July 4, 2020. Among the most important public health costs of lockdown restrictions are the potential adverse effects on mental health and physical activity. Using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) and Google COVID-19 Mobility Reports we find evidence of reduced park mobility during the initial period of the first UK lockdown and confirm existing evidence of worsening psychological wellbeing. Linkage with weather data shows that contrary to popular belief, weather conditions do not exacerbate the mental health consequences of the pandemic, while we find systematic links between park mobility and weather over the same period. Our results highlight the importance of promoting the existing guidelines on regular exercise during winter lockdowns.
Subjects: 
COVID-19
mental health
mobility
weather conditions
JEL: 
I10
I12
C23
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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